WAITAKI HYDRO SCHEME

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19874, 10 August 1934, Page 10

WAITAKI HYDRO SCHEME

COMPLETION NEAR AT HAND OAMARU’S TRIBUTE TO ENGINEER By Telegraph—Press Association OAMARU, August 9. In view of the early completion of the Waitaki dam, about 60 business men of Oamaru, representative of the Oamaru Borough Council, Waitaki County Council, Oamaru Harbour Board, Waitaki Electric Power Board, Waitaki Hospital Board, Oamaru Chamber of Commerce and Oamaru Rotary Club paid a visit to the Waitaki hydro-electic works this afternoon at the invitation of Mr R. H. Packwood, engineer-in-charge. Work on the dam has progressed this winter to such a stage that it is only a matter of three or four weeks before the huge structure is completed. Two small gaps in the crest of the - wall remain, and arrangements have been made to complete these next week. Of the 11 temporary sluiceways in the dam four have been sealed with concrete, two are in process of being sealed, leaving five remaining, of which three more will be sealed during the next two weeks. The remaining two will then be sealed while the two permanent sluiceways cope with the present flow of the river. Mr Packwood indicated that in the event of a flood, the remaining five gates could be lowered In the sluiceways in a hurry when the dam would function in the generation of electricity and the sealing of the remaining sluiceways could be carried out next August when the river returns to its present low level. The organisation of the work is being synchronised to enable the completion of the dam and the removal of the machinery from the upstream side of the dam at the same time. Expressions of Appreciation. Opportunity was taken to express deep appreciation of Mr Packwood’s assistance and courtesy to the local bodies during his six years’ stay in North Otago. The Mayor of Oamaru (Mr M. F. Cooney) paid a tribute to the engineering genius of Mr Packwood and his organising ability over the staff and workmen in bringing this huge undertaking to a successful conclusion. They were deeply indebted to Mr and Mrs Packwood for their unfailing courtesy and hospitality. Mr Packwood had given devoted service to his department, and on behalf of the citizens of Oamaru he congratulated him heartily on the success attending his efforts. Other speakers also paid high tributes to Mr Packwood’s engineering ability and a hope was expressed that on the accomplishment of one of the greatest engineering undertakings in the history of the Public Works Department, he would be raised to the highest place in the department. Mr Cooney, on behalf of the citizens of Oamaru presented Mr Packwood with a gift for Mrs Packwood in appreciation of her hospitality and the great assistance she had given her husband. In reply, Mr Packwood thanked the members and officers of the local bodies for their help and courtesy to him and for the tangible appreciation of Mrs Packwood’s hospitality. He acknow ledged the co-operation of the staff and specially mentioned the work of Mr Bignell (overseer), Mr Geddes (powerhouse construction), and Mr White (mechanical). The designer of the scheme, Mr P. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer, would be proud of the successful carrying out of the work. He was pleased to note the Harbour Board's progressive proposal to deepen the water of Oamaru port, and said he hoped the district, with electricity and limestone and a deeper port, would become industrial in the manufacture of nitrates.